Please take extra care when visiting Dawlish Warren. We have been informed that due to the recent bad weather there has been significant erosion from Groyne 10 eastwards. This means that access along the site, to and from Warren Point (and the bird hide) will be via the beach only, with a risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water! Signs have been put up to alert people to the hazards, but people need to be aware that access routes that they have become used to may not be available and they need to exercise extreme caution, with the possibility of being cut off by the tide, and people are strongly urged not to try climbing the sand cliffs. Further information is available on the Teignbridge District Council website.
Posted November 9th at 11:08 am by Mike Daniels in General Birding
Please think very carefully before posting any information on scarce or rare breeding species both here and elsewhere online.
A list of ‘at risk’ species in the county can be found here. Many of these receive full legal protection under Schedule 1 and/or are rare in the county and may be vulnerable to persecution/disturbance. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of the Schedule 1 species during the breeding season without a valid licence. This also applies to anyone taking photographs of these species at or near the nest or whilst feeding dependant young.
Some species may be found breeding at numerous locations however please keep information on these species limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting, Aylesbeare Common for Dartford Warbler). Others may be found as obvious migrants and as such can also be posted eg coastal Ring Ouzel and passage waders, or raptors eg Little Ringed Plover, Red Kite or Marsh Harrier.
If you have any doubts and think there is a chance there may be breeding, either because of the habitat or behaviour of the bird(s) then do not post, but please submit your records to the County Recorder and the RSPB.
Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds.
Posted April 10th at 4:50 pm by Mike Langman in General Birding
If you follow our Blog but are not currently a member of Devon Birds please consider joining Devon Birds to help us with the upkeep of running the website and this service as well as our valuable conservation work .
Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am by George & Julia Harris in General Birding
Acting on comments to Devon Birds some changes have been made to this page. To the right of this header post you'll see there are now several subjects for you to choose to read and post on. Just click your chosen subject and use as previously.
Please be careful not to post under the wrong subject. If you do, you can still easily go back to edit and change the subject yourself so it appears on the right page.
Please try and keep posts short, particularly in the Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts page. Photographs are still very welcome.
For help with ID email photos to id@devonbirds.org.
Posted June 30th, 2016 at 9:24 pm by George & Julia Harris in General Birding
Sunday 21st January 2018
As there are already a few pics of the drake ring necked duck on Twitter, thought I would put a couple on Devon Birds! Thanks Terry Goddard for the good find! Also pleased to see the 5 pochard and a couple of little grebe!
Ring necked duck - Beesands - 21/01/2018 Little Grebe - Beesands - 21/01/2018
Posted January 21st at 5:30 pm by David Pakes in General Birding
The adult Bonaparte's Gull was off Shelly Beach @1430. Also a fw Glaucous Gull on Bull Hill and a Great Northern Diver off there. The Long-tailed Duck was viewed from the Quay (off Warren Pt). Off Maer Rocks - 3 immature drake Eider still, along with 13+ Common Scoter. Six Goldeneye off Mudbank and yesterday - c30/40+ Brambling - Sowden Lane and at least 1 Firecrest still behind the cricket club. Photos and further sightings on www.gobirdingexmouth.blogspot.co.uk.
Posted January 21st at 4:24 pm by Matt Knott in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
At least 2 Firecrests still present in gardens of Millin Way, Dawlish Warren. (Don't park in Millin Way as many residents get irate, use the beach carpark at Dawlish Warren).
The images featured were photographed from my house today (21 January)
A Further Firecrest has been showing very well this morning at dead dolphin wood, Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve.
Firecrest in Garden Millin Way
Posted January 21st at 2:11 pm by Carole Leigh in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
From the hide today, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK (male) in with tufted duck and 5 Pochard
Posted January 21st at 11:50 am by Terry Goddard in General Birding
Just outside Sutton Harbour this morning a Great Northern Diver & 2 Guillemots.
Posted January 21st at 11:36 am by Martin Phillips in General Birding
Woodcock flew over the A379 on way to Plymouth last night - very crepuscular!
Posted January 21st at 9:47 am by Rob Macklin in General Birding
Firecrest showing well in Dead Dolphin Wood 9am.
Posted January 21st at 9:31 am by Peter Leigh in General Birding
Amazing 119 Hawfinches left the post roost gathering at Perridge estate Longdown this morning..Further birds were left calling in the Hornbeam woodland so the total is still unknown but certainly a new county record.
Posted January 21st at 9:27 am by Roy Adams Hungarian Bird Tours in General Birding
Saturday 20th January 2018
A few pics from my Paignton garden (apologies for the quality but don't really have the camera):
This m Bullfinch has been visiting my garden for at least a year, bringing his wife and 3 kids last summer (I know it's the same one as, unfortunately, he has a fungal infection on both legs).
The m Blackcap is one of 2m coming to my fat feeders.
The pm was rounded off nicely with this stonking m Sparrowhawk (I've lived here nearly 3 years and it's only the 2nd time I've seen a m in the garden).
Bullfinch Blackcap Sparrowhawk
Posted January 20th at 8:48 pm by Dave Holloway in General Birding
1 Spoonbill in to roost at South Huish Marsh late this afternoon.
Posted January 20th at 7:44 pm by Andy Smith in General Birding
The Iceland Gull showed very well off the top of the headland this afternoon - apparently it was present there all day. Can't make my mind up on age a pale juv/1w with strongly marked two tone bill - or well marked and dark eyed 2w?
Posted January 20th at 5:05 pm by Mike Langman in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
A dawn count at Lower Tamar Lake for Goosander showed 25, this was to check how many were staying on the lake at night, as I thought only a few stayed and the rest flew in during the day just to feed. (Wrong again!)
Posted January 20th at 4:55 pm by Rod Mudge in General Birding
Black-throated Diver east offshore.
Posted January 20th at 4:07 pm by Rob Macklin in General Birding
Black-throated Diver between Flow Point and Coombe Cellars this morning 08:30 - 09:00 at least. Also on the estuary 38 Shelducks, 29 Red-breasted Mergansers, 350+ Oystercatchers, 91 Curlew, 50+ Redshanks, 42 Dunlin, 14+ Turnstones, eight Ringed Plovers, five Avocets, four Common Sandpipers, two Greenshanks and a Kingfisher.
Posted January 20th at 3:33 pm by Will Salmon in General Birding
Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Common Sandpiper, male Kingfisher, 17 Wigeon still around on the pool & 7 Little Grebes.
Posted January 20th at 2:47 pm by Pete Aley in General Birding
12.15-12.50
2 Black Redstarts. Initially a male and a female. Female flew off in the direction of Well Street and did not return. Male showed well but was mobile around the rooftops, chimney stacks and aerials in the area around the old Paignton Clink. Showed well for a period in the small tree in front of 31-49 Littlegate Road.
Several Redwings over too.
Posted January 20th at 2:30 pm by Paul Darlington in General Birding
The Iceland Gull still early afternoon circling very close off the end of Berry Head viewable from on top of the headland- also hundreds of auks , c25 Common Dolphin, 3 Harbour Porpoise.
Posted January 20th at 1:54 pm by Mark Bailey in General Birding
A dawn count this morning proved that Goosanders are spending the night at Stover, with 23 (4 drakes) present at first light. When feeding commenced at 07:55, most of them headed into the inlet, outlet and other narrow channels, where close views could be obtained. I've never come across Goosanders habituated to humans before, but I assume the presence of tame Mallards has helped them to come to terms with us! Great photo opportunities to be had there ....
Other birds included 2 Snipe, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker and 2 Redpolls.
Posted January 20th at 11:37 am by Dave Smallshire in General Birding
Friday 19th January 2018
The Iceland Gull was again off Berry Head this afternoon and followed a trawler toward Brixham before turning back toward the headland. Never close, this pale pale bird appeared to have an pretty much all dark bill which would make it a juv, but while it was settled on the water the bill appeared to have a more extensive pale base so it might well be a 2w, better too for plumage. 1 hybrid Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull on rocks at Berry Head too.
video clip: https://youtu.be/Lvp8Igu5PDo
Posted January 19th at 7:10 pm by Mike Langman in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
After filling the feeders at South Milton Ley in the cold and rain, I spent some time looking at the many chiffchaffs by the STW, certainly 25 or more present. 2, possibly more, showing mainly grey plumage with pale buff breasts, no sign of yellow in flight,buff supercilium with black beaks and legs (one rung) gave clear ID of Siberian (tristis) rather than the greener (collybita) of the majority.(thanks to Alan Pomeroy for your recent hands on ID class during your ringing session) At South Huish Marsh I could only make out 3 Cattle Egret with the cattle in the kale field on the hill, whereas we have regularly been seeing a lot more at this location! Incidentally I had a Firecrest by the entrance gate at Aveton Gifford STW this week. There are a few in the village!
Posted January 19th at 6:15 pm by David Pakes in General Birding
Following Steve Hopper's directions we stood in the biting wind and sleet looking for Brambling. 3 were located with a large flock of chaffinch at Warren Road, Dartington, feeding on the beech mast and on the ground. Also a a single Yellowhammer in beech tree. Not easy to photograph due to hideous weather.
Posted January 19th at 6:06 pm by Steph Murphy in General Birding
DW: Long-tailed Duck offshore plus 4 Great Northern Divers & 118 Great Crested Grebes. Slavonian Grebe off Cockwwod.
Haldon: Superb male Brambling on the feeders in car park plus 3 Siskin. No sign of any Crossbills on the trails.First Red Admiral of the year!
Posted January 19th at 4:47 pm by Rob Macklin in General Birding
A single Med Gull near the ferry crossing on Mount Batten side, showed very clearly, then flew of towards the coast
Posted January 19th at 4:36 pm by Greg Bradbury in General Birding
3 Great Northern Divers in the bay this morning .
Posted January 19th at 11:58 am by Roy Adams Hungarian Bird Tours in General Birding
Thursday 18th January 2018
The forecast for Sunday 21st is wet to very wet and so we have decided to postpone the reed cut planned for that day. We hope to be able to carry our the cut in February and will let you know the date and soon as we fix it.
Nick Townsend
Posted January 18th at 7:28 pm by Nick Townsend in General Birding
A look at first light from the quay provided me with distant views of the Long-tailed Duck off shore from the Warren Point. Also 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Eider, several Common Scoter and Slavonian Grebe near Cockwood.
More details http://dixiesbirding.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1
Posted January 18th at 7:03 pm by Spencer Dicks in General Birding
For most of this winter we have had 40-50 Goldfinches roosting overnight in a bay tree in the garden; they tend to arrive as it is starting to get dimpsy, and emerge as soon as it is reasonably light the following morning. Siskins are back at feeders earlier than usual this year, also this week we have had 1 Fieldfare, feeding on Crab Apples, plus a pair of Blackcaps.
Posted January 18th at 6:54 pm by Martin Overy in General Birding
The Long-tailed Duck present again late afternoon (1630hrs) off the mouth of the Exe, viewable from near the Rockfish restaurant. Also 3 Great Northern Divers there.
Posted January 18th at 6:51 pm by Terry Smith in General Birding
Good day at Haldon Forest, 9 Crossbill near the Forestry Commission building, Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Siskin, and one male Brambling briefly by the feeders (scared off by dogs and didn't return.
Common Crossbill Female Bullfinch Siskin
Posted January 18th at 6:51 pm by Martin Rooney in General Birding
Spoonbill flying high over the A381 between Kingsbridge and Marlborough heading towards the coast, 16:45 today.
Posted January 18th at 6:07 pm by Richard Moore in General Birding
A short look late afternoon - 31 Turnstones & Kingfisher on Blagdon’s Meadow, 16+ Wigeon & 7 Goosanders (3m) at top end.
Posted January 18th at 5:49 pm by Pete Aley in General Birding
Powderham marsh RSPB - 450+ Golden plover, 200+ Lapwing, 200+ Black-tailed godwit, Kingfisher, 30+ Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, 20+ Cirl bunting, 10+ Stonechat, 35+ Linnet...
Posted January 18th at 4:40 pm by Nick Patel in General Birding
Some of the 40/50 Siskins regularly visiting feeders outside my office window in Broadwoodwidger. Woodpeckers,Nuthatches,TisandFinches also.
Posted January 18th at 1:31 pm by David Boddy in General Birding
The over wintering male Black Redstart ( originally found by Andy P in November) still present this morning on the roof of 31-49 Littlegate Road. It has also been seen on Well Street and Churchward Road)
Posted January 18th at 1:16 pm by Mark Bailey in General Birding
South Huish Marsh / South Milton beach ~ Stonechat, Black Tailed Godwit, Oyster catcher, Little Egret, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, a small number of Pipits moving around certainly Rock and Meadow and possibly a Water Pipit as well, Teal, Wigeon, Great Black Backed Gull and Buzzard.
On the rocks 3 Ringed Plover and 5 Turnstone.
Aveton Gifford ~ Common Sandpiper 3, Greenshank 4, Redshank, Oyster Catcher, Buzzard, Curlew, Little Grebe 3, Kingfisher, Song Thrush, Stock Dove and Grey Wagtail.
On the way back home to South Brent several Buzzards and a Sparrow Hawk near California Cross.
On the garden feeder this morning a female Siskin.
Posted January 18th at 1:07 pm by Steve Hopper in General Birding
Berry Head was alive withf sea birds this morning off the headland,Many Fulmar,Gannett.Fulmer,Kittiwake,Guillemotf,Razorbill and Shags.The highlight was a adult Icelandic Gull mixing with the Kittiwakes.Also a Mediterranean Gull flew past.
Posted January 18th at 12:43 pm by Roy Adams Hungarian Bird Tours in General Birding
Belated news from yesterday afternoon's Stuart Lines cruise. After a Great Northern Diver off Exmouth sea front, there were two more inside the estuary, around Bull Hill. A Guillemot was lingering near to Exmouth marina, the usual Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood and c8 Great Crested Grebes were mainly in central parts of the estuary. Approx 290 Pintail between Lympstone Barracks and the mouth of the Clyst is the largest number I've ever seen on the Exe. A drake Goldeneye was at Topsham and 5, including 2 drakes, were off Cockwood. Good numbers of waders included 50+ Knot, 4 Greenshank, 100+ Grey Plover, c300 Golden Plover, c300 Avocets, c100 Bar-tailed and 500+ Black-tailed Godwits.
Posted January 18th at 10:08 am by Dave Smallshire in General Birding
Wednesday around midday, both the male and female Blackcap were on our feeders in the garden, along with the sparrows and bluetits.
Posted January 18th at 8:03 am by Kay and Gary Deare in General Birding
Wednesday 17th January 2018
Bullfinch with a mixed finch flock 10.30 am today
Posted January 17th at 8:45 pm by Marie Leahy in General Birding
I braved the strong wind at the end of Brixham breakwater this morning (about 11 am) and was rewarded by the spectacle of large numbers of Gannets (about 200), with many diving into a shoal of fish not far off the oysterbeds. As I watched, there was a flow of Gannets coming into Torbay to join the throng. Also, 7 Purple Sandpipers roosting on the derelict structure, in their usual place, and 2 Great Northern Divers just outside the harbout entrance.
After lunch, I went on to Broadsands, though I missed most of the birds mentioned by Mike. There were 2 or 3 more Great Northern Divers, but all the Cirl Buntings seemed to have eaten the seeds and disappeared! Scanning the sea confirmed my estimate of the number of Gannets, with over 200 Gannet-shaped dots counted. There were also some distant (common) dolphins, perhaps also brought into the bay to feed on the shoal.
Posted January 17th at 8:09 pm by Richard Swinbank in General Birding
Brambing Siskin regular visits this week, . some 300 plus fieldfair / redwing flock in field
Posted January 17th at 7:38 pm by Peter Salter in General Birding
Three Brambling still with the Chaffinch flock on Deer Park Road, Dartington Hall.
Buzzard, Song Thrush and Jay also on site
Posted January 17th at 6:14 pm by Steve Hopper in General Birding
hawfinch seen at Topsham Cemetery this morning only one bird, and a waterpipit seen with several others at Colyford marsh, elsewhere around the site it was very quiet.
Posted January 17th at 5:10 pm by roger jewell in General Birding
One bird present again this afternoon in solar panel field with sheep
Posted January 17th at 4:22 pm by Ken Dainton in General Birding
Wigeon have increased to 18 on Plym Estuary. Also Dipper showing well and 2 Kingfishers but only saw one Goosander today.
Firecrest , 10 Teal & Chiffchaff in Efford Marsh.
Posted January 17th at 2:39 pm by Pete Aley in General Birding
On the sea: 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Red-throated Divers, 15 Great Northern Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 35 Cormorants, 40+ Shags, 200 + Auks
1 Firecrest in the masrh between the car parks, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.
33 Cirl Buntings, 3 Reed Buntings on seed in the 2nd car park.
Posted January 17th at 9:38 am by Mike Langman in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
Tuesday 16th January 2018
I had a female hawfinch feeding in my back garden in Woolwell on the outskirts of Plymouth.
Posted January 16th at 9:40 pm by Andy Quest in General Birding
The 3 Firecrests reported from my garden on Saturday, came back on Sunday and briefly on Monday. Not seen them today.
Posted January 16th at 8:14 pm by Carole Leigh in General Birding
Walking on footpath south from Plymouth Road alongside River Plym under Devon Expressway flyover. Firecrest alone feeding in hedges, a finch/tit flock consisting of Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Great and Blue also contained at least five Siskin (2 males, 3 females). Birds were dropping down on to the footpath. Also excellent views of Dipper feeding in shallows of dropping tide.
Posted January 16th at 6:23 pm by Richard Smith in General Birding
Wembury Bay: Firecrest, Mediterranean Gull (ad-w), 8 Chiffchaffs & 4 Cirl Buntings.
Plym Estuary & Saltram: Woodcock, Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 14+ Wigeon & 2 Green Woodpeckers.
Cattewater: 2 Great Northern Divers & ad-w Mediterranean Gull.
Posted January 16th at 6:10 pm by Pete Aley in General Birding
Group of a least 7 Purple Sandpipers with some Turnstones & Oystercatchers on Maer Rocks at around 2pm - also a Great Northern Diver in the channel opposite The Ocean
Posted January 16th at 5:02 pm by Chris Bollen in General Birding
Monday 15th January 2018
Goosanders now reached (record?) count of 9 (3 drakes). Also 52 Curlews on the pool, 8 Oystercatchers, 15 Wigeon, Great Northern Diver, Kingfisher & 5 Little Grebes.
Posted January 15th at 5:51 pm by Pete Aley in General Birding
Probably should have posted this earlier, so apologies. Rode along to Wrafton Pond this morning before visiting the reserve, and spied a large flock of Canada Geese in the field between the scrape and Chivenor. Closer investigation revealed a Greylag Goose amongst them, and then further into the flock a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Still lots of Tits and FInches in the reserve.
Ringing yesterday produced a further 6 Reed Buntings amongst the usual suspects.
Posted January 15th at 5:25 pm by Jon Turner in General Birding
Successful run down to Slapton on Sunday, Slav. Grebe, Gadwall, Goldeneye, 3 x Water Rails, Kingfisher, Cettis, and a report of a Bittern flying across the Ley,...not seen personally.
Posted January 15th at 4:24 pm by Trevor Leaman in General Birding
Pair of Goosander just downstream of the new bridge, plus another male close by. About 90 Brent Geese grazing in the marsh nearby next to the Tarka Trail.
Posted January 15th at 2:40 pm by Richard Hannington in General Birding
A SLAVONIAN Grebe at Torcross. A typical cleanly marked individual, but confusingly in the same location as the 2 Black. Necks that have been present ,on and off for at least a fortnight.
Posted January 15th at 1:52 pm by Alan K. Searle in Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts
The drake American Wigeon still present on the second pool up showing very well at 1300hrs.
Posted January 15th at 1:39 pm by Terry Smith in General Birding
Good turnout of members arrived at Darts Farm to see large flocks of Brent geese, and black tailed godwits spooked by a peregrine. Chiff chaff down by the hide. Then a hawfinch (or possible second one) at Topsham cemetery. Good selection of ducks at Bowling Green Marsh including wigeon, shoveller, tufted and pintail. A posing kingfisher and then large gatherings of avocets and golden plover from the Goat Walk plus red breasted mergansers.
Posted January 15th at 12:14 pm by Brian Sims in General Birding
Firecrest & Blackcap seen this morning in the garden.
Posted January 15th at 11:11 am by Martin Phillips in General Birding
